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I’ve come across many smokers both Muslims and non-Muslims alike, who smoke cigarettes without giving concern for those around them. Some would light cigarettes at highly inflammable areas even at places where NO SMOKING is boldly written. Some would smoke in kitchens and filling stations. This category of smokers can be regarded as irresponsible smokers or better still, mad smokers.
Among these mad smokers are those who exhibit a higher degree of insanity by smoking inside the mosque or its compound; and coming into the congregational prayer with a choking smell. Those who do this get their sins multiplied because their victims are not limited to human beings, but also angels. Allah’s Messenger is reported to have said:
“He who has eaten onion or garlic or leek should not approach our mosque, because the angels are also offended by (the strong smells) that offend the children of Adam.” [Muslim]
Based on the Hadith cited above, a fatwa on the ruling on smoking and coming to the mosque reads:
“Everything that has an offensive smell is subject to the same ruling as garlic and onions, such as a smoker or a person who has an offensive smell in his armpits or other smells that are offensive to those with whom he sits. It’s makrooh (detestable) for him to pray in the congregation and he is not allowed to do that until he uses something to get rid of this smell. He has to do that as much as he can so that he does what Allah has enjoined upon him and pray in the congregation. As for smoking, it’s haraam and should be given up at all times, because of its many harmful effects on one’s religious commitment, physical health, and finances.”
[Source: https://islamqa.info/en/answers/11286/ruling-on-smoking-and-coming-to-the-mosque]
There is a case of a smart smoker who prays with us. He’s intelligent and responsible but only overwhelmed by his addiction to smoking. What he regularly does is; he applies a strong perfume that neutralizes the repugnant smell of cigarettes before joining the Prayer. By this, he qualifies himself to pray in the congregation and avoid missing the reward. He also frees himself from the guilt of harming the angels and fellow brothers. What remains on him is the sin of smoking. With such a method, we can say the nice smoker has minimized his sin by not harming others.
My surprise at this practice pushed me to discuss this affair with him. I wanted to confront him and confirm my thought, as well as sermonize him to quit smoking. I also wished to know the nice perfume he uses. With the scent of the perfume, you’ll always want him around you. When I encountered him, he was nervous in the first instance, but eventually explained and confirmed my thoughts. He further appreciated my admonition and guided me on how to get the perfume. I reciprocated the appreciation and left.
Such is the essence of true brotherhood; admonishing one another on quitting a bad habit and preventing a wrong deed with patience and love. [see Qur’an 103:3]
As for those who still argue on the prohibition of smoking (cigarette), the following three pieces of evidence are enough:
1. Allah says:
وَلَا تُلْقُوا۟ بِأَيْدِيكُمْ إِلَى ٱلتَّهْلُكَةِ ۛ
“…And do not throw yourselves into destruction.” [Quran 2: 195]
2. Similarly, Quran 4:29 states:
وَلَا تَقْتُلُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِكُمْ رَحِيمًا
“And do not kill yourselves (nor kill one another). Surely, Allah is Most Merciful to you.”
3. It’s common to find a “warning” on any cigarette pack you come across such as “smokers are liable to die young,” and “The Federal Ministry of Health warns that tobacco smoking is dangerous to health,” etc. As important as the caution may sound, it seems contradictory. This is because a government which is responsible for protecting the lives of her citizens still issues license to manufacturers and dealers in killing substances. By so doing, smokers are legally allowed to consume substances which can cause cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung diseases, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
On the evil of cigarettes and the politics around it, read the article titled “Smoking: Licensed to Kill” on https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017cigarettesng-licensed-kill/amp/
Finally, I leave you with an adage that says: “A word is enough for the wise.”
By: Abu Mar’yam Hanafi Abdulkadri
Email: hanafiabdulkadri@gmail.com
